new tank set up

[mattymalcolm]

currently I have like 9 tanks way to many. So I am putting together a 110 to replace a few of them. There is something I dont like about just about all of my setups so I am trying to think more about this one. As I go any suggestions would be great.
I am starting with a 110 with a with a awesome calflow by ace. 3 Inch holes. I am not a very good carpenter but I made stand from 2x4s and particle board. Now I am thinking of the sump/refugium about to look at melsreef for some ideas. I was thinking of going protein skimmer first in the sump. Anyone have any thoughts on this? I also have two drains and already have two mag 7 pumps so for each drain and pump going into two seperate tanks one a sump and the other a refugium any thoughts?

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Tank and stand together with sump in.


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spray painted back of tank.


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Look at that massive pluming, done by of my wife. I guess that means she forgives me. I had to promise I would break down some of my other tanks.

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[joelb]

my setup has skimmer first in sump, it works good for me. is your sump and refuge going to be 2 differant tanks? will they be plumbed together somehow? or will it be one big tank like a 55g? u probably know this but the best type of filtration is natural (good algaes) so i would say no filter pad anywhere on the tank, too much hastle changing those out every few days, just water pouring in on one side of the 55g through the skimming zone, then through the refuge full of good algae, rocks, a good refuge sand bed, and some light, then right back into your tank (with more rocks and a good size sand bed).

[Mr Cob]

I wanna know who's sponge bob blanket is that?

The calflow looks great!

[joelb]

oh no, i didn't notice that.:eek: tell me your wife didn't make you sleep on the couch after you surprised with another huge tank! i take back my previous suggestion, sell the tank and get here a real bright rbta and tell her it's a rose for being the best! :)

[ACE]

I have a blanket just like it...:blushing:



I wanna know who's sponge bob blanket is that?

[ismvel]

It probably belongs to mattymalcolm after he came home with yet another tank (10) LOL.....That is his front row seat to the aquatic action and his new bed...

Just kidding (unless it was I who came home with another tank)....LOL

[mattymalcolm]

going with 1 55g sump skimmer then live rock, then macro, then couple frags, then return. Yes that is my blanky after bringing home the 110 the couch is pretty comfy.

[ErikH]

You should go macro before skimmer, you want the macro to get the dirty water first.

[rz1a]

you dont want the macro first.. water goes to the sump where skimmer is, then to your refugium, then your return. skimmer>refugium>return if you do it like macro>skimmer>return, youll end up with copepods being skimmed out

[ErikH]

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/refugfaqs10.htm

Read the first post... the reason for it is the macro will get fed by the unskimmed water, the skimmer catches the excess...

[rz1a]

....water is going to come out dirty out of the chamber anyways, its not like the skimmer can right away take out nitrates and phosphates. skimmer is meant to pick up little particles and push them thorugh the top, which is why theres bubbles, so they can attach to bubbles and end up in the collection cup

if you put your refugium before the skimmer, it defeats the purpose of having a refugium, now all you have is a compartment for chaeto to grow instead of being safe haven for copepods and any living organisms. if they copepods and organisms find their way out, theyll end up in the DT where they become food for fish and others

[coraline79]

You want to skim water straight from the tank, and you want you fuge to have water straight from the tank. Have 2 drains on each end of the sump, and have your return in the middle. If you want to be safe, get drains that double the flow of your return pump, use valves to tune them down, so if one drain gets clogged you can still run the other one on full until you fix the other drain.

[Hamp]

Tank looks great Matt. Thanks for saving me that favia. Fixed the chiller, its running better than ever. Talk to you soon-

[mattymalcolm]

Hey I posted some new pictures. I almost have it complete. I will keep posting. Thanks eveyone for your post it has made this tank set-up even more enjoyable.

[mattymalcolm]

Thanks Hamp for coming by and checking out the tank. I am almost finished, I think I am going to get a lot done today. I am glad you like the favia.

[mattymalcolm]

My wife plumbed the drains together. I put the protein skimmer first. After the protien skimmer it goes into live rock. It then flows underneath into the fuge. Then it goes over into a sand bed, through a bubble chamber to the return pumps ( two mag 7s). The problem I am having now is that the algea from the fuge is runing through to the pumps and some into the tank. Not sure yet how to fix this or even why it is doing it.

[Mr Cob]

looking good Matt!

[mattymalcolm]

Thanks almost done more pics soon.